Convertible News

A dealer memo in the US suggests a much-loved grand touring sports car could be on the way out.The 2026 Lexus LC500 and its convertible variant might be on their last legs if a letter sent to North American dealers by Lexus is accurate.Published by Carscoops, the dealer letter says the 2026 model year will be the final year of production for the LC500 and LC500 Convertible, though doesn’t note any details for production of the LC500h hybrid.It could suggest the V8 that powers the LC500 - Lexus’ 2UR-GSE co-developed with Yamaha - is due to end production. The LC500 is the only model still using the specific version of the engine, which was once found in other V8-powered Lexus models.In the LC500, the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated unit makes a healthy 351kW and 540Nm, and when revved out to its 7300rpm redline sounds inarguably intoxicating. Yamaha’s help made it a widely loved engine for its sound alone.The hybrid LC500h has instead a 3.5-litre V6 under the long bonnet with electric assistance to help it drink far less fuel than the V8 - though it only makes 264kW.The published letter to dealers suggests August 2026 will mark the end of production, though Lexus hasn’t publicly confirmed this.If the LC500 ends production next year, it’ll have a near-decade-long run since its 2017 introduction.CarsGuide has contacted Lexus Australia for word on whether this has been confirmed internationally, and whether there’s any information on an end date for the LC500 here.

Have you ever wondered what the most expensive car in Australia is?Would it break the $1m mark?As we get towards the end of the year, here is a look at the five most expensive cars on sale in Australia with no added options.Price: $846,888, before on-road costsStarting off the list is one of two offerings from Ferrari. The SF90 Stradale features 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and three electric motors, which have a total output of 746kW and 800Nm.It has the trademark Ferrari speed, shifting from 0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds and boasts a top speed of 340km/h.Its interior has a standout 16-inch curved digital screen, which is designed to give the driver a Formula 1 feel.Price $886,800, before on-road costsFerrari also claims second spot with a convertible on this list.This convertible is more than $80,000 more expensive than the hard top 12Cilinidri. The 12Cilinidri has a 6.5-litre V12 petrol engine producing 610kW and 678Nm, with a 0-100km/h time of 2.9 seconds. On the interior, the car has three different digital screen, which are a 15.6-inch digital driver display, 10.25-inch touch screen and a passenger display.Price: $895,000, before on-road costsThe Cullinan is the only SUV on this list, and the last car before the $900,000 barrier is breached. Amazingly, the Black Badge edition is a $118,000 upgrade on the standard Cullinan. It has a 6.7-litre V12 engine, which produces 441kW and 900Nm. The car also features the optional iconic 'shooting star' headliner, with a multitude of other customisable specifications. Price $933,000, before on-road costsThe Black Badge Spectre is Rolls Royce’s most expensive and first-ever all-electric offering on the market.The luxury coupe is one of the few cars on this list not famous for its speed, but it still manages to offer plenty of power. Its dual electric motors produce 485kW and 1075Nm, shifting from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds.It has a range of more than 500km, according to the WLTP testing cycle from its 102kWh battery.As with all cars featuring the Spirit of Ecstasy, it comes with the outrageous luxury add ons one would expect for a car approaching the $1m mark.Price: $987,000, before on-road costsThe most expensive car on sale in Australia is the only Lamborghini to make this list. As Lamborghini's flagship supercar, it has one of the most advanced hybrid systems.Its 6.5-litre V12 engine and three electric motors pump out 747kW and 807Nm, with a 0-100km/h time of 2.5 seconds.It has a 3.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, which if you really wanted to, can make the car run on electric-only power for 10km. The Revuelto is a near $400,000 jump from the next most expensive Lamborghini in the Huracan STO. 

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